From the beginning, it has been really important to me to not involve money in anything I do regarding laughter yoga. And I don’t just mean that I don’t want to charge for sessions. I would prefer, in an ideal world, that no money is exchanged.
For one, I don’t think people should pay to laugh. I am not teaching a class. I consider myself a facilitator of a laughter group. I help to keep the laughter and exercises moving, but what I do is not worthy of money. I do it because I want to laugh, and I like to experience it with other people.
Beyond not getting compensated or paying rent though, I would ideally like to not involve money even behind-the-scenes. I am currently seeking an indoor/outdoor space so we can continue to meet even in the snow this winter. And even as I explore options, I am seeking to barter or trade or somehow secure a free-of-money space. I just think this is an amazing community offering that I’d like to not tangle into money. Also, it’s just fun to explore ways to hold transactions without set currency. It’s fun to test the limits of red tape and see what’s possible.
Now if I eventually start providing laughter yoga as a service in schools or institutions in some way, I’m not saying I will always refuse to be compensated. But I would like to continue to challenge the norm in the small way to not involve typical payment.
I recently read The Man Who Quit Money and it is fascinating. What in your life do you not involve money in?
In other news, this made me giggle out loud. I love the laugh at the end! http://www.dump.com/camerastolen/
